Traveling rocking-horse.



No. 737,818. PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903.. R. BARRETT.

TRAVELING ROGKING HORS E.

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PATENTED SEPT. 1, 1903.

v R; BARRETT. TRAVELING ROCKING HORSE. I APPLIOATION FILED MAY 16, 1903.

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UiNtTED STATES Tatented September 1, 1903,

PATENT OFFICE.

ROY BARRETT, OF PALMYRA, NEW YORK.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 737,818, dated September 1, 1903. Application filed May 16, 1903. SrialNo-157A36. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, ROY BARRETT, of Palmyra, in the county of Wayne and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Traveling Rocking-Horses, which improvement is fully set forth in the following specification and shown in the accompanying drawings.

My invention relates to rocking-horses generally, but more particularly to the class of toys known and understood as traveling rocking-horses for children.

This device is designed to be both a rock ing-horse proper and a traveling vehicle, the construction and the arrangement of the parts being such that the device may be readily made to assume the character of either a rocker or a traveler at Will by the rider while in the saddle and without dismounting. When acting either as a rocker or a traveler, the device is operated by a succession of alternated backward and forward swayings of the body of the rider.

This invention is intended as an improvement upon the device shown and described in Letters Patent No. 699,280, granted to me May 6, 1902.

The invention is hereinafter fully described, and more particularly pointed out in the appended claims, reference being had in this specification to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing the device in its normal position or'as when idle. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the horse, showing by full and by dotted lines its various positions when traveling. Fig. 3 is asection of parts of the body of the horse on the dotted line 3 3 in Fig. l, the saddle-iron being sectioned on the dotted line 3 in Fig. 6, parts being broken away. Fig. 4 is a plan of the device, the saddle being represented by a dotted line. Fig. 5 is a side elevation of the device with parts omitted and other parts broken away to uncover the interior mechanism, the section being on the dotted line 5 in Fig. 4:, the portion of the rear part nearest the observer being omitted. Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the levers and other mechanism for operating the horse detached, parts being shown in various positions by full and by dotted lines. Fig. 7 is a rear elevation of the device seen in the direction indicated by arrow in Fig. 5, the rear rockers being transversely'sectioned on the dotted line at the point of the arrow, parts being broken away. Fig. 8 is a plan of some parts at the middle of the device, showing more clearly the action of parts of the locking mechanism for the rockers. Fig. 9 is a front elevation of parts of the operating mechanism seen as indi cated by arrow 9 in Fig. 6, further showing the relative positions of the parts, the saddleiron being transversely sectioned on the dotted line at the point of the arrow. Figs. 3, 6, 8, and 9 are drawn to scales larger than that of the other-figures.

Referring to the parts shown, A is the forward part of the body of the horse or animal, and B B the rear parts of the body, said parts B B being alike, but made right and left, respectively. As seen in Figs. 4, 5, and 7, the parts 13 are spaced by a curved spacer B which is shown in section in Fig. 5. The parts A and B B are in parallel vertical planes, the parts B B being slightly separated, with the part A extending rearward into the space between them, as appears in Figs. 4 and 5, all three parts being connected and held together by a transverse pivot-bolt 6, Figs. 3 to 6, inclusive. The feet of the rear parts 13 B of the body rest upon raised parallel cross bars or sills F F, Figs. 1', 2, 4, 5, and 7, of a pair of rear rockers D D, and the feet of the front part A of the body rest upon cross-sills E E of a pair of forward rockers O O, the feet being held to place by simple fasteners h. The forward and the rear rockers C O and D D are parallel and of the same curvature and overlap each other, the forward rockers being just within or between the rear rockers. as shown. These pairs of rockers though of like radius and curvature are not concentric, the center of the curve of the forward rockers being forward of the center of the curve of the rear rockers, as appears in Figs. 1, 2, and 5. This manner of placing the rockers-- one pair in advance of the otl1er-causes four points upon their under surfaces to be in a horizontal plane, while the rear ends of the forward rockers O O are above the adjacent partsof the rear rockers D D, and the forward ends of the latter rockers are higher than the adjacent parts of the rockers O C, as

stance.

rockers O on account of their eccentricity being lifted out of contact with and wholly above the floor. This releases the forward rockers, leaving them free to move and to swing forward and upward to the position shown by dotted lines at O. Simultaneously with this swinging forward of the rockers C the body of the horse elongates by the for-- ward part A swinging on the pivot-bolt e in a forward direction partly out from between the rear parts B B, said part A assuming the position indicated by dotted lines at A.

A rocking forward now of the horse to the position shown by dotted lines at A will cause the vehicle to advance, the rockers assuming the position indicated by dotted lines at D and 0 respectively. In this position of the parts the weight of the horse and of the rider will rest upon the forward rockers C, the rear rockers, as shown by the dotted positions, being wholly above and out of contact with the floor, leaving them, with the rear parts 13 B of the horse, free to swing forward and close up, with the forward parts ready for another backward rocking 0f the horse, as in the first in- These alternated backward and forward rockings-of the horse cause it thus to advance by intermittent motions or hitches, a successive backward and forward motion or swaying of the body of the rider in the saddle together serving to cause a complete or full stride of the horse. An india-rubber block or bufier 2', Figs. 1, 2, and 5, is secured to the forward sill F in position to meet the opposing rear foot of the part A when while trav eling the rear parts of the body swing forward, as stated, this buffer serving to soften the shock of. collision and to prevent noise; also, spiral cushion or buifing springs 1, Figs. 1, 2, and 5, are placed under the extreme forward and extreme rear ends of the several rockers, as shown. These springs not only serve to check and stop with elastic force the forward and the backward rockings of the horse, but also with resilient action they help to start the rockers back again after a motion is completed in either direction. I

To convert this device from a traveling vehicle into arocking-horse proper,a lock-rod a, Figs. 4, 7, and 8, for the rear rockers is employed, passing horizontally through and having a bearing in the left forward rocker O. This lock-rod is adapted to have simple longitudinal motions in its bearings, it being operated by means of a rod b, Figs. 1, 2, 4., 5, and 8, held in bearings at the right side of the body of the horse and provided with a handle 0 in convenient reach of the rider. The operating-rod b is connected at its lower end with the lock-rod a by means of a crankarm d, Fig. 8, so that when the rod 1) is slightly turned on its axis one way or the other the rod a will be correspondingly moved longitudinally. While the horseis traveling the normal positions of the arm (1 and the rod a are as shown by dotted lines in Fig. 8, the end of the rod being drawn within the body of the rocker O, and the handle 0 in this case resting against the side of the horse, as shown in Fig. 4; but if at any time it he wished by the rider to arrest the progressive motion of the horse and convert the device into a rocking-horse the handle 0 will be turned slightly outward away from the body of the horse, which causes the arm (1 and the stop-rod a to assume the positions shown by full lines in Fig. 8, the rod projecting in front of the adjacent rear rocker D. This prevents the rear rockers and the parts B B of the horse from swinging forward or gathering when the horse is rocked forward, as is the case when the horse is traveling, but holds the body of the horse and the rockers in their extended or elongated positions, (shown in dotted lines at A and C, Fig. 2,) converting the device into a simple rocking-horse. A turning of the handle 0 back again to its position against the body of the horse will cause the device to again begin to travel as before. I

The mechanism or means by which the rider of the horse operates it when acting as a traveler by merely swaying his body alternately backward and forward will now be described.

It has been already stated that the forward and the rear parts of the body of the horse are adapted to turn independently on the pivot-bolt e. This bolt pierces a pair of side ironsff, Figs, 3, 5, 6, and 9, secured to the opposite sides of the part Aof the body, and another pair of-similar irons g 9, (see also Figs. 1 and 4,) secured, respectively, to the inner faces of the parts 13 B, which pairs of irons, together .with the pivot-bolt e, serve to hold the forward and the rear parts of the body of the horse securely together. A longitudinal saddle-iron k, Figs. 3, 6, and 9, to which the saddle G is rigidly secured, is held over the bolt e and provided with two downwardly-projecting U-shaped hangers Z m, as shown, the prongs or branches of the hanger m being connected with the respective irons ff by pivot-bolts 0 0 and the branches of'the hanger Z connected with the irons g g, respectively, by straps or connectors n n. Pivotbolts 19 and r r are passed through the upper ends and the lower ends, respectively, of the connectors 22 n and the associated parts land g g, on account of which all of these parts joined may move freely one upon another, and as the joints at p and 0 are on opposite sides of the pivot-bolt e the motions of the saddleiron and the saddle will be rocking motions IIO upon said bolt (2. Onaccount of this a backward swaying or pressing of the rider, using the stirrups L, will serve to simultaneously rock the horse backward to the position shown by full lines in Fig. 2 and to throw a downward pressure upon the side irons ff. This downward push against said irons at points in rear of the pivot-bolt 6 tends to lift the forward part A of the body upward or to the position shown by dotted lines at A, said part A being free to make this movement from the fact that the weight of the structure is now upon the rear rockers D, as clearly shown. A forward swaying now of the body of the rider will cause the horse to rock forward to the position shown at A throwing the whole weight on the forward rockers G. This releases the rear parts B B and the rockers D, which are now at liberty and in position to fall by gravity to close up against the forward parts, said rear parts being cushioned in their fall by the buffer 2', as stated. To further aid in breaking or modifying the fall of the rear parts 18 B and the rockers D, which might be at times too harsh, I employ a spiral spring 3, Figs. 3, 5, 6, and 7, between the parts B B, as shown. The upper end of this spring is secured to an eyepiece i of the saddle-iron k, and its lower end is held by a pin to, Figs. 1, 2, 5, and 7, passed horizontally through the rear opposing legs of the parts B B. This spring is under constant tension, the pull being the least when the parts B B and A are drawn apart or extended, as when the animal is beginning a stride; but the tension increases as the parts close up or come together in their normal relative positions, as when completing the stride. This enables the spring to materially aid in checking the fall of the heavy rear parts, and so render their action easy. Furthermore, the weight of the rider when thrown forward upon the saddle, as stated, tends to temporarily hold the rear parts of the horse back; but when he again sways backward to begin another stride the forward end of the saddle-bar will be relieved, and so permit the rear parts B B and D to move forward by gravity to their relative normal positions.

What I claim as my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-- 1. A traveling rocking-horse having a body consisting of a single forward main part or section mounted upon a pair of rockers, and two main rear parts or sections both mounted upon a pair of rockers, said forward part of the body being between the two rear parts of the body, a saddle mounted on said rear parts, and means for holding said three main parts of the body together.

2. A traveling rocking-horse having a body consisting of a single forward main part or section mounted upon a pair of rockers, and two main rear parts or sections both mounted upon apair of rockers, said forward part of the body being between the two rear parts of the body, a saddle mounted on said rear parts,

and means for holding said three main parts of the body together, said two pairs of rockers being eccentric.

3. A traveling rocking-horse having a body consisting of a 'single forward main part mounted upon a pair of rockers, and two main rear parts both mounted upon a pair of rockers, said forward part of the body being between the two rear parts of the body, a saddle mounted on said rear parts, and means for holding said three parts of the body together, and cushion -springs beneath the forward ends of the rockers of the front pair and beneath the rear ends of the rockers of the rear pair. I

4. A traveling rocking-horse having a body consisting of three main parts one between parts and a forward part between said rear parts, and a holding-bolt common tot-he said three parts of the body, a saddle mounted on said rear parts, a pair of rockers for the forward part of the body and a pair of rockers common to both said rear parts of the body, the two pairs of rockers overlapping and one being in advance of the other, the forward ends of the rockers of the rear pair and the rear ends of the rockers of the forward pair being respectively above the-adjacent or opposite parts of the associated rockers.

6. A traveling rocking-horse having a body consisting of a single forward main part or section mounted upon a pair of rockers, and

l two main rear parts or sectionsboth mounted upon a pair of rockers, said forward part of the body being between the two rear parts of the body, and a pivot-bolt common to said forward and the rear parts of the body, a saddle mounted on said rear parts, and means for turning said forward part and said two rear parts of the body upon said pivot-bolt to alternately lengthen and shorten the body of the horse.

7. Adevicesuchas described,havingabody consisting of a forward piece or section, and two main rear parts or sections partly overlapping the forward section, and a pivot-bolt for the overlapping sections, a saddle-iron above said sections of the body connected with the forward section and with the two rear sections.

8. Adevicesuchasdescribed,havingabody consisting of a forward piece or section, and two main rear parts or sections partly overlapping the forward section, and a pivot-bolt for the overlapping sections, a saddle iron above saidsections of the body connected with the forward section and with the two rear sections, the connections of the saddle-iron with said forward and the rear sections of the body of the horse being on opposite sides of said pivot-bolt of the sections.

9. v Adevice such asdescribed,havingabody consisting of a forward piece or section, and two main rear parts or sections partly overlapping the forward section, and a pivot-bolt for the overlapping sections, a saddle -iron above said sections of the body connected with the forward section and with the two rear sections, and a spring connecting the saddleiron and the rear sections.

10. A traveling rocking horse having a body consisting of a single forward main part or section mounted upon a pair of rockers, and two main rear parts or sections both mounted upon a pair of rockers, said forward part and the two rear parts of the body overlapping, and a pivot-bolt common to said forward and the rear parts of the body, a saddle mounted on said rear parts, and means for turning said forward part and said two rear parts of the body upon said pivot-bolt to alternately advance the forward pair of rockers while the rear pair remains motionless, and to advance the rear pair of rockers while the forward pair is stationary.

11. A traveling rocking-horse having a body consisting of a single forward main part or section mounted upon a pair of rockers, and two main rear parts or sections both mounted upon a pair of rockers, and a pivot-bolt com-- mon to said forward and the rear parts of the body,a saddle mounted on said rear parts, and means for turning said forward part and said two rear parts of the body upon said pivot-bolt to alternately elongate and shorten the rockerbase of the horse.

12. A traveling rocking horse having a body consisting of a forward main part or section mounted upon a pair of rockers, and two main rear parts or sections overlapping the forward section both rear parts being mounted upon a pair of rockers,and a pivot-bolt common to said forward and the rear parts of the body, and means for turning said parts of the body upon said pivot-bolt to alternately elongate and shorten the rocker-base of the horse, and means for holding said rocker-base in its elongated position.

, In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, this 11th day of May, 1903, in the pres ence of two subscribing Witnesses.

ROY BARRETT.

Witnesses:

SARAH H. HARRISON, I. A. SAWYER. 

